Luxury Lodges are all the rage in New Zealand – And for good reason. Having recently been lucky enough to stay in some of the countries finest I can certainly see what all the fuss is about.
Both the North and the South Island have their fair share of jaw dropping Lodges with exclusive locations; pleb free privacy and out and out tailored spoiling all key draw cards in setting them apart from your average (ahem) luxury hotel stay. And they’re just another reason why international visitors are flocking in their droves to Middle Earth to sample New Zealand’s bespoke blend of nature, adventure and warm Kia Ora’s.
Here’s 3 North Island Lodges of exceedingly cool distinction.
1. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay
The famous Cape Kidnappers peninsula. Pic: Matt Leedham
Owned and created by American billionaire art lover Julian H. Robertson (who also owns both the Kauri Cliffs in Matauri Bay and Matakauri Lodges in Queenstown), the exclusive Cape Kidnappers sits on 6,000 secluded acres of stunning farmland that affront the Hawkes Bay Peninsula.
Simply put. Cape Kidnappers is one of the most amazing places I’ve ever stayed. It really was that good.
Stunning views. Pic: Matt Leedham
The Owners Cottage. Pic: Matt Leedham
With 22 stylish suites and a four bedroom Owner’s Cottage just a 60-minute flight from Auckland, every suite offers its own private balcony with spectacular views of the property, 18-hole cliff top golf course (ranked 16th in the world) and Pacific Ocean.
The farm also features a spa, wine cellar, outdoor pool, endless walking and cycling trails and even it’s own Gannett colony that you can visit for yourself – an experience definitely worth doing.
Your private suite awaits
Breakfasting in style. Pic: Matt Leedham
Elegantly designed inside and out and with stimulating art pieces everywhere, Cape Kidnappers gives you the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world in an understated and relaxed natural environment. The service as you might imagine is impeccable too without being over fussy or stuffy. All of the staff here are just genuinely nice people who care a heck of lot about the product they represent and the environment it’s a part of.
One of the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in. Pic: Matt Leedham
Great memories of fine evenings. Pic: Matt Leedham
All rooms include: pre-dinner drinks with canapés, a la carte dinner, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar, including domestic beers, super fast wifi and use of all lodge facilities (excluding golf and spa treatments).
Suites start at NZ$775 for a double
Find out more: www.capekidnappers.com
2. Acacia Cliffs Lodge, Lake Taupo
Soul food served here. Pic: Matt Leedham
Stunning architecture. Pic: Matt Leedham
Opened in April 2008 and one of Taupo’s newest lodges, Acacia Cliffs Lodge is an exceptional boutique lodge with just four gorgeous rooms overlooking stunning Lake Taupo and Acacia Bay.
With a maximum of only eight guests, staying at Acacia Lodge is a bit like staying with your favourite Aunt and Uncle. The homely feeling hits you as soon as you walk through the door as a retreat to peace and quiet personified.
With 40 odd collective years of working in hospitality all over the world, lodge owners and hosts Linda and Rick built the lodge from scratch with the sole intention of combining their two loves – travel and people. And they’ve most certainly succeeded in creating a lodge that’s all about sharing their passions with guests from near and far.
Acacia Cliffs Lodge owners, Linda and Rick. Pic: Matt Leedham
Order what you want, eat when you want, do what you want. After a day spent on Lake Taupo enjoying the scenery and catching rainbow trout before I checked in, Rick even cooked up my catch for me, which we enjoyed together pre-dinner with a delicious pinot noir and plenty of chat about the surrounding area, rugby and the fish itself.
Here comes my rainbow trout ready for Rick. Pic: Matt Leedham
It’s moments like that, which make lodges like this so distinctively different and appealing. Rumour has it I even spent my night in Kate Winslet’s bed. Though Kate wasn’t in it. But she apparently had been not that long ago along with many other celebrities who’ve visited Acacia Lodge in the last few years to find their own piece of Taupo magic.
‘That’ bed that Kate slept in. And me. Pic: Matt Leedham
Relaxing is easy here. Pic: Matt Leedham
Both Linda and Rick are phenomenally welcoming hosts and I arrived as a guest and left Acacia Lodge as a friend. The only real sad part was actually leaving as I only had one night to sample the Acacia goodness. I will be back!
All rooms include: A bottle of NZ wine on arrival, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, full breakfasts, Wifi and Taupo airport transfers. Flight time from Auckland is around 45 minutes.
Rooms start at NZ$600 for a double
Find out more: www.acaciacliffslodge.co.nz
Lake Taupo Cruises: www.chrisjolly.co.nz
3. Solitaire Lodge, Rotorua
Whether you are looking for a romantic escape, peace and quiet or a sense of adventure, Solitaire Lodge will tick all your boxes when it comes to finding yourself again.
Around a twenty-minute scenic drive from adventure capital Rotorua (Itself only a 1 hour flight from Auckland) Award winning Solitaire Lodge nestles on a private peninsula of Lake Tarawera and feels far away from pretty much anywhere people or tech orientated. If you want it to that is. You can also fly in by helicopter if you can’t be bothered to drive. Why not I say.
As one of the first Luxury Lodges in New Zealand, Solitaire features established options a plenty when it comes to experiences on the menu.
From secluded hot water beaches and natural thermal hot springs to soak in, to world class Rainbow Trout fishing, guided helicopter tours to White Island and Mount Tarawera. Hikes, kayaking or cycling past some of the most unique geothermal sites in the world.
Or you can just kick back and indulge yourself like a Solitaire sloth (I preferred a combination of both options).
The lodge has ten luxurious suites that feature panoramic views of the glassy lake and magnificent volcano through massively grand picture windows. You’ll also get to enjoy contemporary New Zealand cuisine prepared with locally sourced produce and complemented by superb wines from selected regional vineyards, all served by your hosts.
All rooms include: Mini bar, pre dinner drinks & canapés, five course dinner, full country breakfast and light lunch plus use of kayaks, motorized dinghies and fishing gear.
Suites start at NZ$1900 for a double
Find out more: www.solitairelodge.co.nz
The Lodge difference is highly appealing. High touch personal service and quality time with hosts to converse and share moments and local knowledge you’d never get from a hotel, a create your own stay approach and exclusive privacy usually in stunning nature that’s far away from the masses.
Lodges do come with a more expensive price tag than many big hotels, but for those that love all of the above points when it comes to taking time out on their trips, lodges are a great choice in maximising your down time whilst enjoying the great outdoors.